To receive a law school scholarships, you need to be a new and first year (1L) law student in a Juris Doctor degree program. Many schools consider admitted students for merit scholarships while need based awards require you to fill out a FAFSA.
If you got this far, you likely took your LSATs already. The LSAT is accepted for admission purposes by many ABA accredited law schools. A high LSAT score may help you qualify for full funding for a three year Juris Doctor program. The highest possible score of the test is 180.
Schools generally use these scores as a metric for acceptance and the amount of scholarship money they offer you. As a college student, an impressive GPA plus high test scores may help you when it comes to getting graduate scholarships for law.
Once you earn your JD degree and pass the Bar Exam, one option may be to pursue a career at a law firm. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, many lawyers today earn a median annual salary of $135,740 per year.
How To Apply for a Law Scholarship?
Besides your test scores, each scholarship program comes with a set of criteria to meet. These awards could be for women, minority groups and specific law majors. But in most cases are for U.S. citizens.
Eligible law school students who qualify have to fill out a scholarship application form. It is wise to follow the directions and apply by or before the application deadline.
Along with the form, you might need to supply transcripts, resume, and explain your goals. Some providers seek a very strong community service background too. If there is an essay, be clear and use the directions as a guide.
10 Scholarships for Law Students You Can Apply for in 2024
Are you wondering what scholarships are available for graduate students attending law school? You’re in luck because we have hundreds of law school awards. These awards may help you pay for law degree and reduce your school debt by the time you graduate. Check out these ten scholarships that you can apply for now!
Anhelo Dream Project Scholarship
Legal Opportunity Scholarship
Earl Warren Scholarship
Herbert Lehman Education Fund Scholarship
MALDEF Law School Scholarship
Attorney Ken Nugent Legal Scholarship
ABA Academic Merit Scholarship
LimNexus Scholarship
La Raza Foundation Scholarship
Warner Norcross & Judd Law School and Paralegal Scholarship
WHAT IS THE AVERAGE COST OF LAW SCHOOL?
The cost of law school may vary depending on where you study. Tuition and fees differ across institutions and whether you are in state vs out of state. Additional college expenses such as housing, books, and transportation contribute to the cost of law school.
According to the NCES, the average tuition cost of a graduate degree is $11,617 per yea at a public school. If you choose a private school, you are likely to pay more at $26,551 per year at a nonprofit college. The difference between tuition and fees at private schools and public schools is huge: around $14,900.
The NCES also found that 75% of students who completed a professional doctorate such as a law degree had student loans. They also report the average total loan balance was about $145,500 per borrower.
Are There Full Ride Scholarships to Law School?
Full ride law scholarships are more common. These pay tuition and mandatory fees for all three years. Most schools make them available to first year students who may qualify.
For example, University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School awards full tuition through the Toll Public Interest Scholars program. You also a receive a stipend to fund unpaid public sector internships. Eligible scholars must be in good academic standing, commit to work in public interest and the community.
Which Law Schools Offer Scholarships?
University of Chicago, New York University, and University of Virginia provide scholarships for admitted law students. Other major universities in the United States with Juris Doctor programs offer scholarships for graduate students studying law. Here are two prestigious law schools and their scholarships to check out.
University of Chicago
University of Chicago School of Law offers a Juris Doctor as well as a Joint JD /MBA program. In the first year of the JD, your courses may teach you about contracts, torts, property, criminal law and civil procedures. As you get into the upper level courses, you may study equality, civil rights, health law and taxation.
Every admitted student is automatically considered for scholarships. One to try for is the Tony Patiño Fellowship. Each year there are 1 to 2 Fellows, chosen on the basis of merit. Eligible students must exhibit leadership, academic success and initiative. Each recipient receives at least $10,000 per year for their studies and takes part in Fellowship events as a side benefit.
University of Virginia
University School of Law offers a JD that includes core courses in the first year. Second year law students focus on patent and administrative law, the federal courts and independent research. Year three is research focused and explores areas like trusts and estates. Students also have access to study abroad, dual degree options and externships.
You may qualify for graduate scholarships as a new law student such as the Karsh Dillard Scholarships. A Karsh Dillard Scholar receives a sufficient amount to cover full tuition and fees for three years of their legal education. Awardee must be in good academic standing in order to receive the scholarship.
Do Law Schools Give Merit Scholarships?
Yes, some law schools give merit scholarships. University of Pennsylvania and UCL
A are some universities where you may receive merit based awards. Sometimes, there is no separate application and eligible graduates may be automatically considered when applying for admission.
Many law schools look at your LSAT scores, undergraduate GPA, community service and school activities. The admissions office typically reviews eligible applicants for merit based aid. You may also request more financial aid based on admissions and scholarship offers from other schools.
University of Pennsylvania
Penn Law has a full time program leading to the JD. Penn Law also offers an LLM and other law graduate degrees. The JD course plan includes externships, pro bono duties, and senior research and writing project.
To help those who qualify, the school offers merit scholarships such as the Dean’s Scholarship. These awards range from $9,000 to $120,000 in tuition coverage. In addition to academic achievements, eligible students must show leadership, service, and personal or work experience.
University of California Los Angeles
UCLA School of Law offers two distinct merit scholarships. These scholarship opportunities use criteria such as grades, LSAT scores and leadership.
One is the the Distinguished Scholars Program. It is a binding merit based full tuition scholarship program. And, only for a few exceptionally qualified applicants.
Recipients of the award who are CA residents get full resident tuition and fees for three academic years. As long as they remain in good standing. Non CA residents will be awarded full non-resident tuition and fees for L 1. Then, full California resident tuition and fees for L 2 and 3.
Are There Scholarships for Minority Law Students?
Law school scholarships for minority law students and women help nurture diversity in the field. Such awards also provide valuable financial help to under served law graduate students towards their goals.
Doctorate degrees in legal professions and studies hold a 23% share of all degrees earned at this level. Recent NCES data shows a 50 /50 split in the number of men and women who attained law degrees. The numbers vary for various minority groups below.
Black – 23%
Hispanic – 33%
Asian – 13%
Pacific Islander – 24%
American Indian – 36%
Two or More Races – 26%
Law Scholarships for African American Students
The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund Inc is one provider of law scholarships for African American law students. NAACP is the legal organization that fights for racial justice through litigation, advocacy and public education. One of the programs they run is the Earl Warren Scholarship.
This is an annual award that goes to rising law students committed to racial justice. Eligible applicants tend to show potential as civil rights and public interest attorneys. To qualify, you must be a first or second year full time law student at an ABA accredited school.
Earl Warren Scholarship awards are $10,000 per year for three years or for a total of $30,000. Along with the award there are two opportunities for an LDF internship, externship, or guided research project and an invitation to LDF’s Civil Rights Training Institute.
African American law students might also find scholarships that are location specific. The James W. Stoudt Memorial Scholarship Fund of the Pennsylvania Bar Foundation is one example. It provides 3 scholarships of $3,000 each to support minority law students at a few partner schools.
Scholarships for Hispanic Law Students
The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) may be a good resource for Hispanic students. MALDEF supports law students who seek to further advance the civil rights of the Latino community in the United States.
In the past years, MALDEF awarded from 5 to 15 law school scholarships of $2,000 each to deserving Hispanic law students throughout the nation.
The program is open to eligible law students currently enrolled full time at an ABA accredited school. Other criteria they look at are grades, financial need and outside school activities. Above all, eligible applicant must show dedication to advancing Latino civil rights in their careers.
MCCA or the Minority Corporate Counsel Association offers law scholarships for Hispanic women. They offer the Lloyd M. Johnson, Jr. Scholarship Program. It helps law students pay for tuition, books and fees. Eligible fellows receive $10,000 a year for three years to help defray the cost of a JD degree. They also receive a one time award of $10,000 to assist with 1L expenses.
Law School Scholarships for Women
Female law students may find law school scholarships through the AAUW or American Association of University Women. They offer several fellowships and grants each year.
BARBRI, a provider of legal exam prep courses, offers One Lawyer Can Change the World Scholarship. It is for eligible incoming first year law students for fall semester. To apply, you need to write an essay about “How you hope to use your law degree to change our world”. The grand prize winner will receive $10,000 and $5,000 for second place. There are also 8 runners up who take away $1,000 each.
Law Scholarships for Immigrants and Children of Immigrants
The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans program is an annual award. It honors immigrants and children of immigrants who are in pursuit of a graduate degree. This year, due to COVID 19 they’ve expanded their criteria to include online law degree programs too.
To be eligible, you must be an eligible New American graduate student who is 30 years or younger by the application deadline. You may either be a naturalized US citizen, green card holder, adopted immigrant, DACA recipient, refugee and asylee. You must plan to start or continue in an eligible program full time in the United States. Each Fellow receives up to $90,000 in financial support over two years.
List of Law School Scholarships
Check out our list of scholarships for law school worth .
The criminal justice system can be an intimidating and overwhelming place, especially for those who do not have the legal knowledge to cope with it.
That is why we are proud to introduce our new scholarship program specifically designed for law students who are interested in helping individuals within the criminal justice system. We are committed to helping those who are dedicated to making a positive impact in the field of criminal law. The Doug Murphy Law Firm, P.C. Criminal Justice Scholarship provides recipients with an award of $1,000 to use toward their tuition fees and educational expenses.
At our Dallas law firm, we understand that suffering a serious injury can happen at any time to any one. By providing financial support to one deserving student through a scholarship program, we believe we will positively affect the life of someone who has endured a personal injury in a motor vehicle accident.
Our Road to Recovery Scholarship provides a $2000 award each semester to a college student who has been injured in a motor vehicle accident at some point in their life and is now pursuing a college degree. The Road to Recovery from any injury is not an easy one, which is why we are delighted to assist a hardworking student who understands what it is like to fight back after suffering an injury.
All applications for this scholarship must be submitted prior to 11:59 PM on 07/15/2024. For any questions or concerns, students should contact [email protected]
Showing up for your community comes in various forms, each as valuable as the next. You can volunteer your time to organizations fighting for causes you care about or volunteer resources to those providing to community members in dire need. Regardless of the approach, engaging with your local community isn’t just about personal fulfillment; it’s a profound honor that enriches the lives of everyone involved.
To highlight these worthy causes and the students who help them grow, we are offering the 2024 Selfless Service Scholarship! This $1,000 opportunity will be awarded to a student who writes an informative essay discussing their work in supporting their community through local organizations, groups, clubs, or on an individual basis. Your essay should celebrate the collective spirit of giving and inspire others to actively participate in building a stronger, more resilient community. Additionally, applicants are asked to provide school transcripts and their professional resume. The student demonstrating outstanding commitment and impact will be chosen as the recipient of this scholarship, assisting them in furthering their education.
At Jacoby & Meyers, located in Southern California, we strive to offer our clients the highest quality service with our knowledgeable team of experienced personal injury attorneys. Our office and team handle everything from the initiation of your case against a liable defendant until your case has settled.
We pursue high settlements on behalf of our clients as well as fair and just recoveries to compensate them for their past and future medical expenses, loss of earnings, and pain and suffering. In wrongful death cases, we also present a loss of consortium claim where warranted.
We support local efforts to conserve and manage wildlife and natural resources in our home area of Northern Virginia. Whether raising money for wildlife habitat protection or helping to maintain the trails in Virginia’s numerous state parks, we endorse those who go out of their way to improve and conserve natural areas.
We are proud to sponsor a scholarship contributing to the awareness and active discussion around nature conservation in the digital age. Younger generations are learning about and taking action on serious issues, such as Earth’s natural resource supply, maintaining ecosystems, species diversity, and environmental functions. We have seen that this generation is focused on making actual changes and implementing policies to protect future generations.
The Local Conservation Scholarship will be awarded to an individual who demonstrates exceptional commitment to nature conservation and environmental stewardship in their own community. This $1,000 scholarship is an opportunity to give back to those who have already given their valuable time and energy to worthy causes.
A popular story adapted from Loren Eiseley’s essay, “The Star Thrower” highlights the power one person’s efforts can make. The story tells of a young girl who was walking along a beach throwing beached starfish back into the ocean. A man comes up to the girl and says she is wasting her time, as she couldn’t possibly help all of the starfish that found themselves beached. After a short moment, the girl picks up and throws another starfish back into the sea and says “I made a difference to that one.” The man is inspired to join the girl in her efforts, which ultimately has a ripple effect on others nearby who help save every last starfish on the beach.
This story is a metaphor for the power one person’s actions can have in affecting significant change in the world. It is easy to think that one person can’t make a difference, so why even try? Our team at Whetstone Perkins & Fulda, LLC understands the message behind the starfish’s tale, and that is why we are offering The Starfish Scholarship.
The Starfish Scholarship will be available to high school seniors and current college students who best answer what social justice means to them. Our goal is to encourage students to think about what social justice is and how their actions can have an impact on the world around them. The student who shares the most thoughtful and well-written response will receive a $1,000 scholarship to help pay for their continued education.
Grandparents, great aunts and uncles, and close family friends make huge impacts in our lives, and what they have taught us and the lessons they pass on to us are invaluable. Many of us learn about moral values, respect, accountability, and more through these family members. The team at D’Amico & Pettinicchi knows firsthand just how valuable these lessons can be, which is why we have created the D’Amico & Pettinicchi Generational Wisdom Scholarship!
This $2,500 scholarship is intended to assist one student with the financial burden of tuition. In order to apply, please tell us about the generational wisdom you’ve experienced throughout your life. What is a lesson or teaching you’ve learned from a grandparent, great aunt, uncle, or family friend that has influenced an aspect of your life? Is there anything you can do to pass down these lessons or teachings to your community or a younger generation? We would love to hear from all of you, so please apply by our September 30th, 2024 deadline.
One of the rewarding things about being a personal injury attorney is helping people overcome difficult challenges. We truly enjoy using our abilities and knowledge to help others.
We want to help make the same opportunities to help available to others who aspire to use the law to achieve justice and make the world a better and safer place. We are therefore happy to offer two $1,000.00 annual scholarships – one for the fall semester and one for the spring semester – to deserving and qualified students.
Are you ever concerned about the safety of your neighborhood’s intersections or roads? Are you passionate about making a positive impact and preventing accidents? Here’s your chance to shed light on a dangerous intersection or road in your neighborhood and propose innovative solutions to enhance safety and create a secure environment for residents. At Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon, we care about road safety. We want to hear your creative ideas and practical recommendations that can significantly reduce accidents and improve overall road safety.
To apply, simply write an essay outlining the problematic intersection or road, highlighting the specific challenges it poses and the potential hazards it creates. Then, present your innovative ideas to mitigate risks and enhance safety, such as infrastructure improvements, traffic management strategies, or community involvement initiatives.
Our firm will carefully review all submissions and select the most compelling essay demonstrating a thorough understanding of the issue and offering practical solutions. The winner will be awarded a scholarship to support their educational journey and become an advocate for road safety in their community.
Let’s create a safer tomorrow, one street at a time!
The Bettersworth Law Firm is committed to fostering the next generation of legal professionals through the Justice for All Scholarship, a $1,000 award to aspiring individuals pursuing careers in legal, law enforcement, pre-law, or government who exhibit a passion for justice and equality.
By investing in these future leaders, our firm aims to empower them to impact their communities positively and uphold the principles of fairness and integrity. The Justice for All Scholarship embodies the firm’s dedication to supporting individuals committed to justice and advocacy. The winner of our scholarship can use the award toward academic expenses, such as tuition, textbooks, room and board, and more.
